Rivals In The Spotlight (Old Ver.)

Chapter 12 : Home

Callah's POV

Hindi niya ako pinansin, sa halip ay nauna na ito kaya ang ginawa ko ay sumunod sa kaniya.

Nang tuluyan na kaming nakalabas, binati kami ng sikat ng araw at hanging walang sawang nagpapasayaw sa nagtataasang halaman ng buong lupain. The Monteverdi Residence stretched far, filled with rolling fields, a small lake, and of course, a lot of animals, horses, goats, cows, and even some sheep.

Ivo walked with his hands in his pockets, relaxed but still looking like the responsible, rich heir that he was.

"So, tell me," simula ko habang pinagmamasdan ang tanawin. "What's your deal with Stephen?"

"What do you mean?"

I shrugged. "You don't seem like the type to care about gossip, yet you knew about the whole facebook thing pretty quickly."

He looked straight ahead. "People talk. I listen."

I scoffed. "You? Listening? That's new."

"Unlike you, I don't need to be the center of attention to know what's going on."

I rolled my eyes. "You're acting like I want people to gossip about me."

"Don't you?"

Natigilan ako kasabay nang pag-awang ng aking bibig. "Anong nais mong iparating?"

He stopped walking and turned to me fully. "Think about it, Ashang. You could've taken the picture down, but you didn't. You could ignore them, but you make sure they know you don't care. You're feeding into it whether you realize it or not."

Napakurap ako. "Wow. That's… a lot to unpack."

He smirked. "Just saying."

I crossed my arms. "For the record, I really don't care about what they say. I just don't like being told what to do."

That's my attitude, dude.

"Exactly," sambit niya, nauna nang lumakad. "Which is why they keep talking."

Palihim kong kinurot ang sarili. Stupid Ivo and his stupid insights. Why did he have to sound so annoyingly right?

Nang makarating kami sa wooden fence kung nasaan ang mga baka na malayang kumakain. Natahimik ako sandali.

Dinadama ang bawat haplos ng hangin at tanawing walang kapintas. Ivo stood beside me, pinagmamasdan din ang mga hayop na tila walang pakialam sa mundong ginagalawan.

"Sasabihin mo na ba sa akin kung anong tingin mo kay Stephen?"

He looked out at the fields. Walang emosyon ang mukha. "I think he's more than what people assume he is."

I frowned. "That's vague."

He glanced at me. "And you? What do you think of him?"

I opened my mouth, then closed it. "I… don't know."

Which was the truth. Stephen confused me. He was rude but helpful, distant but present. He acted like he didn't care, yet he showed up today, standing by my car for no reason.

Ivo studied my expression. "Interesting."

"Stop analyzing me, Monteverdi."

He smirked. "Too late."

Napabuntonghininga ako at umiling. "Whatever. Let's go see the horses. At least they won't judge me."

Sabay kaming lumapit sa tarangkahan ng mga kabayo. May mga trabahante doong nagbabantay. Kinukuskos nila ang katawan ng ibang kabayo, ang iba ay pinapakain at hinayaang malayang umikot-ikot sa rancho.